Week Eight Preview - No. 20 UCF set to do battle at Navy

Saturday's game at Navy could be No. 20 UCF's biggest challenge before the highly-anticipated Black Friday showdown against No. 16 USF.

The Midshipmen (5-1, 3-1 AAC) were ranked last week before being knocked off by Memphis 30-27, a game that was still close despite Navy uncharacteristically turning the ball over five times. For a team that prides itself on discipline and execution, that likely won't happen again any time soon.

UCF (5-0, 3-0 AAC) continues to roll with a scoring offense ranked No. 1 in the country. Every game has been a blowout, the latest being a 63-21 victory against East Carolina.

Navy's triple-option, ball-control offense has a way of vexing opposing defenses, so it's vital UCF's offense is efficient, something that hasn't been a problem so far this season. Playing with the lead against a methodical offense like Navy is obviously preferable as their offense isn't suited for quick scores.

It's homecoming at Navy, which has enjoyed a 17-3 overall record in American Athletic Conference regular-season play and 10-0 in league home games since joining the league in 2015. Their home regular-season winning streak stands at 17 games with the last loss coming in 2014 to Western Kentucky. They did however host and lose last season's American Championship Game (34-10 Temple victory).

Here's a look at this week's games involving the American Athletic Conference.

No. 25 Memphis (5-1, 2-1 AAC) at Houston (4-2, 2-1 AAC)

8 p.m., ESPN

Buzz: By virtue of last week's win against Navy, Memphis appears to be the frontrunner in the West Division though a loss could muddy the waters. The Tigers capitalized on five turnovers in a 30-27 win against the Midshipmen, who were ranked No. 25 at the time. Houston suffered a surprising 45-17 loss at Tulsa, so this is likely a must-win for their division hopes given they've yet to play Navy and USF.

Line: Houston by 2.5

Head-to-Head Pick: Memphis

Tulsa (2-5, 1-2, AAC) at UConn (2-4, 1-3 AAC)

12 noon, ESPNU

Buzz: First-ever meeting between the two schools. Tulsa, which had lost a couple early games on last-second field goals, trailed Houston 10-7 at halftime but had a second-half surge that saw them by a final score of 45-17. 26 of their 28 TDs this season have been on the ground. UConn won a hard-fought 28-24 game against Temple last week. Their offense is showing signs of life, at least compared to last season.

Line: Tulsa by 6

Head-to-Head Pick: Tulsa

Temple (3-4, 1-3 AAC) at Army (5-2)

12 noon, CBS Sports Network

Buzz: Temple won the American last season, but their record was blemished by an early-season loss to Army. They'll look for some payback this weekend in West Point. By all appearances, the Owls appeared to be the "best of the worst" among the lower-half of the East Division, but that claim is now dubious after last week's loss to UConn. Army enters the game on a three-game winning streak and five-game home winning streak. Their two losses this season have come against Ohio State and Tulane.

Line: Army by 6.5

Head-to-Head Pick: Temple

No. 20 UCF (5-0, 3-0 AAC) at Navy (5-1, 3-1 AAC)

3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Buzz: First-ever meeting. UCF is off to their best start of the FBS era with solid play on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the Knights lead the nation in scoring (50.6 ppg). QB McKenzie Milton has been on point, ranked second nationally in pass efficiency behind Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield. Navy runs their triple-option offense to precision, ranked first nationally in rushing offense. QB Zach Abey makes their offense go.

Line: UCF by 7

Head-to-Head Pick: UCF

SMU (4-2, 1-1 AAC) at Cincinnati (2-5, 0-3 AAC)

4 p.m., ESPNU

Buzz: SMU may still end up being a West Division challenger, but losing 35-22 at Houston wasn't a good look. QB Ben Hicks leads the AAC with 15 TD passes. Cincinnati is on a four-game losing streak, the last two at the hands of the league's Florida teams, UCF and USF. Like the Knights, the Bulls beat the Bearcats in convincing fashion, 33-3. The teams that make up their five losses however are a combined 26-3.

Line: SMU by 7.5

Head-to-Head Pick: SMU

BYU (1-6) at East Carolina (1-6, 1-3 AAC)

7 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Buzz: It's been a disappointing season for both teams. BYU is one loss away from a losing season, currently on a six-game losing after the opening up the year with a win against FCS Portland State. ECU was manhandled by UCF 63-21 last week, not all that surprising as the Pirates have the nation's worst defense (both in scoring defense and total defense).

Line: BYU by 5.5

Head-to-Head Pick: ECU

No. 16. USF (6-0, 2-0 AAC) at Tulane (3-3, 1-1 AAC)

7 p.m., ESPN2

Buzz: USF has the nation's longest active win streak at 11 games and they've scored at least 30 points in 23 straight games, tying a record previously set by Oregon (2011-12). The Bulls defense is getting it done too - their 15 interceptions leads the nation. Tulane has looked like an improved team in Willie Fritz's second season, though losing 23-10 at FIU last week wasn't a good look.

Line: USF by 12

Head-to-Head Pick: USF